Browsing “Unplugged”

LOOKING OUT AT THE CRASHING WAVES DOES WONDERS FOR THE SOUL. The long stretches of Pacific Ocean that border Vancouver Island’s West Coast are dotted by rippling stretches of beach, aquamarine sea anemone, colourful starfish, crags of mussels and barnacles, tangles of kelp and lush, vibrant forest. As far as the eye can see is ocean. Just vast, expansive ocean. All the way to Asia. And somehow, it’s comforting to know that the swells that crash against our coastline originate in far off lands – New Zealand, perhaps. We are all connected by this ever-transforming element. Whether summer or winter, the coast is still there; beckoning to us, tempting us to ride her waves and inhale her sea-soaked winds. A Family Day weekend in Tofino was calling my name, despite the date on the calendar. And so, I went…PLACE: Chesterman’s Beach LOCATION: Tofino, BC

Photo: Corey Longeway

“Surfing in February? Isn’t it cold?” That’s a common question when one announces they are headed for a February surf trip in Tofino, BC.

Before I went, it was hard to imagine what winter surfing would be like. I’ve been to Tofino many timess during the summer … mostly during August AKA “Fogust.” But, when one thinks of being on the coast during raging storm season, it’s natural to have visions of chattering teeth, hypothermia and crouching miserable and ice-block-frigid behind a beach log thinking: “why, God, why?” 

But, it was time to learn to appreciate a true West Coast winter and there’s no better way to get into the spirit than a cold water surf trip.

All my reservations went out the window as soon as we arrived in Tofino for the Just Add Water Retreat to find a semi-clear day and temperatures of 7 Celsius. Granted, this isn’t always the norm, but it was sure a pleasant surprise.

The yoga, surf and stand up paddleboard retreat, co-hosted by Stand Up Paddle Vancouver (@SupVancouver on Twitter) and Tofino Paddle Surf  (@TofinoPaddlSurf on Twitter), took place at a beautiful Chesterman’s Beach in a gorgeous rented home overlooking the ocean. Small, intimate and affordable, it was all about re-connecting with winter, our beautiful, wild coastal surroundings, and most importantly: ourselves. The ocean has a habit of helping with that.

The small group of women was honoured to glean local knowledge from the humble and down-to-earth Catherine Bruhwiler; one of Canada’s best female pro surfers and Roxy athlete.  The Bruhwilers are well-known for pioneering the sport – both in Tofino and Canada – and have a number of surf and standup paddleboard businesses in the area. Vancouver’s Kristy Wright Schell – Lululemon ambassador, Yyoga instructor and owner of SUP Vancouver –  rounded out the weekend with yoga and SUP instruction.

Together, we went on beach treks, watched the waves, sat around beach bonfires and chatted about life; all the while approaching each new cave, sea creature and swell with the wonderment of a child. We are all born innocent and sometimes, that inner child comes back to the surface.

When it came time to hit the waves, our 5mm wetsuits, booties, gloves and hoods kept us warm – surprisingly so. The wind was low and the swell was consistent, building throughout the weekend. We tried SUP surfing and then switched to regular surfing. Both wave riding sports are so radical in every single way, each with their own nuances and challenges. One simple surfing tip from Cath – adding that extra inch by putting your chin down on the board while catching a wave – well, that changed everything for me! …READ THE REST OF THIS ENTRY>>>

Location: Decker Summit, Whistler Living the dream, as always… Thanks, Miek!

It’s that point in your consciousness where you can feel at one with nature, escaping the trappings of the day-to-day to an almost dream-like place where nothing else seems to exist besides you and your natural surroundings. It is our opinion here at VIA that Vancouver holds a unique place in the civilized world in that reaching this state often requires no more effort than simply pulling off to the side of the road, pocketing your keys and taking a few steps into the forest

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO SOAR OVER THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN TOPS IN A WINGSUIT? Or spend all day climbing a distant peak, only to race to the bottom in mere minutes? How about bush bashing deep into the Amazon jungle or trekking across Antarctica in search of the perfect ice photo? The 16th annual Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival storms into town February 8-17, bringing with it all the adventure and wanderlust one could hope for. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect at this year’s big show.

Photo: Sherpas Cinema, "All.I.Can."

The Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival is now in its sixteenth year and will this year feature a visual cornucopia of outdoor adventure, fit for the adventurous at heart. Coupled with a variety of fascinating guest speakers, this will the the must-see outdoor event of the season.

The film festival offers up a travel and adrenaline smorgasbord of 60 films ranging in subject matter: skiing, snowboarding, ski jumping, mountain biking, paragliding, rock climbing, ice climbing, extreme rowing, and much more.

A variety of participating local theatres will host the films. Some of the highlight films include:

Chasing Ice – An award-winning film about National Geographic photographer James Balog’s mission to capture the melting ice pack before it’s too late. | February 16 @ 3pm, Rio Theatre

Ready to Fly – A documentary about the key players in the controversial bid to bring women’s ski jumping to the 2010 Olympic Games. | February 16 @ 3pm, Rio Theatre

Autana – Two climbers make a treacherous and dangeorus trek deep into Amazon jungle to attempt the first ascent of Cerro Autana. | February 8 @ 7:30pm, Centennial Theatre

For a full list of films, visit the online program guide. 

The guest speaker line-up is diverse and will feature climbers and mountaineer experts who have traveled to the far corners of the earth in search of adventure.  There will also be a few talks focused on subjects a little closer to home, such as a profile of the Sunshine Coast Trail. Check out the guest speakers list for more information.

If you have 3 minutes, here’s the film festival teaser, that will “rock” your world!

If you have a few more minutes, watch this gorgeous trailer for Chasing Ice:

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Location: Hollyburn @ Cypress Mountain, West Vancouver Surreal, cinematic, downright creepy and definitely absolutely brilliant, this painstakingly (I’m sure) composed image of a cross-country skier emerging from the night jamp right off of my screen today and smacked me in the face. What a totally unusual way of seeing one of our beautiful local mountains, for us as well as for the photographer. Really excellent in so many ways. Thanks, Billy!

It’s that point in your consciousness where you can feel at one with nature, escaping the trappings of the day-to-day to an almost dream-like place where nothing else seems to exist besides you and your natural surroundings. It is our opinion here at VIA that Vancouver holds a unique place in the civilized world in that reaching this state often requires no more effort than simply pulling off to the side of the road, pocketing your keys and taking a few steps into the forest

Location: North Shore Mountains Another eye-popper from Nathaniel. If it makes me say “wow” it ends up here. Thanks for this one, I hope had a great day out there.

It’s that point in your consciousness where you can feel at one with nature, escaping the trappings of the day-to-day to an almost dream-like place where nothing else seems to exist besides you and your natural surroundings. It is our opinion here at VIA that Vancouver holds a unique place in the civilized world in that reaching this state often requires no more effort than simply pulling off to the side of the road, pocketing your keys and taking a few steps into the forest

IT TOOK 30 YEARS ON THIS PLANET TO REALIZE THAT NATURE IS MY MEDICINE. No matter how intense and stressful the work week gets, all it takes is a few hours in the forest to clear my mind and nurse my aching body back to life. This isn’t a new concept, by any means. Many ancient cultures have forged a deep and intimate relationship with nature. They knew then, what we have forgotten: nature is our connection to the universe – and to ourselves.  A recent Outside Magazine article on Japan’s emerging “shinrin-yoku” culture got me thinking…just how can we add more “forest bathing” into our lives?

The concept of shinrin-yoku has been around since the early 1980s in Japan; developed for the purpose of stress management and relaxation. Other than going for a serene hike in designated Forest Therapy sites throughout the country, the practice also includes breathing in organic compounds, derived from trees.  Japanese scientists are leading the way when it comes to connecting the positive effects of experience nature on your brain.

But, look further back into the rich cultures of indigenous peoples across the globe and you will see a deep and powerful connection to nature. Closer to home, our own First Nations people have spent thousands of years in harmony with the flora and fauna of our beautiful province. It’s interesting, therefore, that the majority of us live, work, and play in urban centres with little green space and too much concrete.

Living in Vancouver, we are especially lucky to be surrounded by the North Shore mountains and the Pacific ocean. Embarking on our own shinrin-yoku is as easy as setting our mind to it and making it happen.

So, next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed or anxious, try heading over to one of the year-round hiking trails, such as the Baden Powell Trail.

Turn your phone off, put on your hiking shoes and explore the little things we take for granted: the soothing sound of creeks and streams; the fresh mountain scent of evergreens; the vibrant green flora of our temperate rain forest; and the pitter-pattering of raindrops on your jacket. Most importantly: just be. Nature will take care of the rest.

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